There is something quite wonderful about watching our youngest students doing something they’re genuinely passionate about. Not just recite lines or hit marks, but inhabit a world and bring an audience with them. That’s exactly what our Year 7 and 8 pupils did this week in Woodhouse Grove’s junior production of Tim Supple’s Collected Grimm Tales, based on Carol Ann Duffy’s celebrated translation of the Brothers Grimm.

This week, we saw our youngest performers take to the McCarthy Theatre for their production of the Collected Grimm Tales, Carol Ann Duffy’s iconic translation, adapted for the stage by Tim Supple. Six of the most famous – and spooky – tales unfolded across the evening; Rumpelstiltskin, Ashputtel, Little Red Cap, Hansel and Gretel, The Magic Table and Snow White. Using creative storytelling and musical interludes, the cast put on a performance that was not only gripping but clearly made of dedication and hard work.

What was most impressive, however, was the sheer number of young people involved. Over 50 students took part across the two year groups, with students designing and putting together costumes and props, operating sound and lighting, managing backstage logistics, and welcoming audiences front of house. For many of them, this will have been their first experience of what it really takes to put on a show, and they rose to it beautifully. We are so excited to see these students grow through their time at The Grove and return to the stage year after year.

To every pupil who performed, every member of the crew, every sixth former who handled back stage logistics, every teacher sitting through weekly rehearsals: you should be massively proud.